SHANGHAI — Following previous lawsuits from Zhizhen Network and IWNCOMM, Apple now faces its first patent infringement suit from a publicly listed Chinese supply chain partner — a move that has sparked significant attention in financial markets.
In a development closely watched by investors and analysts alike, Shenzhen-listed GETTOP Acoustic Co. Ltd. (002655.SZ), a key player in Apple’s extended supply network — known colloquially in China as the “Fruit Chain” — has filed a 143 million RMB ($19.7 million) patent infringement lawsuit against Apple-affiliated companies at the Shanghai Intellectual Property Court.
The suit centers on a patent for a “Miniature Electroacoustic Transducer with Reduced Size”, a core component used in consumer electronics such as smartphones and wearables. GETTOP alleges that unnamed defendants — identified only as “Company A” and “Company B” in official filings but confirmed by multiple sources to be affiliated with Apple — have manufactured, sold, and promised to sell products using this patented technology without authorization.
“This is a matter of protecting our legitimate rights,” a spokesperson from GETTOP’s investor relations team told local media. “Our R&D team disassembled relevant products, found clear overlaps with our patented designs, and after thorough validation, decided to initiate legal proceedings.”
GETTOP’s patent in question was originally filed in 2008 by engineers from Danish firm Sonion, later acquired and assigned to GETTOP Europe R&D ApS — the company’s Denmark-based subsidiary — in 2013. According to GETTOP’s IPO filings, the patent covers core transducer components used in smart wearables and compact audio devices.
Three separate case filings — numbered (2025)沪73知民初46号, 47号, and 48号 — have now been accepted by the court. While court hearings have yet to be scheduled, the total damages sought represent more than 21% of GETTOP’s audited net assets, according to its latest financial disclosure.
Strategic Stakes for Apple
Apple has long kept its supply chain arrangements with firms like GETTOP confidential. But industry insiders have known for years that GETTOP has supplied Apple through intermediaries, with its largest customer, MWM, being a direct Apple supplier. Although GETTOP never officially confirmed its Apple ties, it has been widely regarded as a second-tier Apple vendor, particularly in the miniaturized acoustics space.
This lawsuit comes at a sensitive time. Apple is actively expanding its product line in wearables, including the Vision Pro mixed reality headset and advanced TWS (true wireless stereo) earbuds. The alleged patent infringement — if confirmed — could have ramifications for Apple’s newer product categories and their component supply integrity in China.
A Pattern of Long Legal Battles
This is far from Apple’s first encounter with Chinese patent law. Previous lawsuits from firms such as Zhizhen Network and IWNCOMM dragged on for years, with one notable case stretching across nearly a decade. The GETTOP lawsuit adds to a growing list of IP challenges that Apple has faced in China — but this time from within its own production ecosystem.
Analysts caution that resolution may not come swiftly. “The Chinese legal system tends to handle these cases with procedural depth, especially when international tech firms are involved,” said a Beijing-based IP lawyer familiar with cross-border patent disputes.
Despite the stakes, GETTOP has remained tight-lipped about the identities of the Apple entities involved and the exact product lines affected, citing commercial confidentiality. Apple has not issued a public response as of press time.
For Apple — a company increasingly scrutinized for its global IP strategies and supply chain dependencies — the lawsuit may force a reassessment of partner engagement protocols in China. For GETTOP, a win in court could translate into millions in compensation and a potential strengthening of its bargaining position within the Fruit Chain.
This article is translated from a report originally published by CLS.cn. Original article link (in Chinese).